ITANAGAR, SEP 17:

The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) has condemned the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case against environmental activist and lawyer Bhanu Tatak, describing it as an alleged attempt at harassment.

In a solidarity statement issued on September 16, SIFFYW said Tatak, a prominent member and legal adviser of the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), had played a key role in organising and sustaining the forum’s activities and in raising concerns over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and other perceived threats to rivers and ancestral lands.

The youth wing alleged that instead of addressing these concerns, the authorities had chosen to criminalise Tatak. It further alleged that the timing and nature of the case could create divisions among SIFF members and weaken solidarity within the wider community.

The CBI registered a case against Tatak over alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), with the agency alleging that foreign contributions were received without the required registration or prior permission. Reports citing the FIR said the funds were allegedly linked to activities concerning protests against the proposed Siang and Dibang hydropower projects.

Tatak has denied wrongdoing and said she is cooperating with the investigation.

SIFFYW said villagers in Siang and Upper Siang districts stood firmly with Tatak and extended their support to her. The youth wing demanded that the alleged harassment stop and reiterated that its movement for protection of ancestral land would continue (Source: Eastern Journal).